Citrus Nationals at Palm Beach International Raceway

Tommy D'Aprile Wins Citrus Nationals Pro Mod Title

Swede Adam Flamholc was fourth at 4.08/164.73.

Words and photos by Steve Gruenwald

For the first time in a few years the fans got to see a field of top quality real Pro Mods in action at the season ending Citrus Nationals at PBIR on Nov. 24-25. In recent years the field only had a couple at best full-on Pro Mods and the rest were Top Sportsman entries. Since this race has no rules those cars ran because the bump ended up being soft. Not so this year.

John Hall

John Hall cranked a 3.976 at 193.65 mph out of his nitrous 900+ ci Pat Musi-powered ‘68 Camaro to take the number one spot, followed by Chip King with his newly refurbished turbo Hemi-powered Daytona Charger with a 4.031/192.93.

Local favorite Doug Horween was third at 4.033/185.28. Doug's screw blower Chevy powered black ‘63 Corvette had just ran his first 3-second pass on Friday night with a great 3.993, and was really looking good in front of his hometown crowd.

Tommy D'Aprile lurked at fifth. His blown ‘63 Corvette ran 4.09/188.07. Andrew Handras came down from New York with his nitrous Cavalier and ended up sixth with 4.135/175.41. Floridian John Adams turned a 4.244/175.41 in his turbo Mustang and Mike Tokarz was on the bump at a 4.29/175.87 in his nitrous ‘68 Camaro.

Eliminations started off with what turned out to be the best race of the day when Flamholc's blown ‘67 Camaro got off the line first with a fine .033 light, was out on D'Aprile's .055 RT, and was chased down with Low ET of the race. D'Aprile's 3.945/189.90 just did edge out the Swede's 3.977/189.44.

Next up saw Horween step up the pace a little with a fine 4.028/186.12. He wasn't lifting even though opponent Andrew Handras went .005 red.